Dumper owner association in Paradip Port to pay a hefty fine for paralyzing the port two years ago

The
Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a fine of Rs 1.17 crore on
Dumper Owners Association, a body of transporters for causing the shutdown of
Paradip port, one of the country’s largest ports in the east coast two years
ago.

A fine of Rs 29.35 lakh each was also imposed on
the association’s President Bijaya Kumar Nayak and Secretary Sanjaya Kumar Dhal
over unfair trade practices. The Commission also directed the association and
the office-bearers to deposit the penalty within 60 days of receipt of the
order.

In September 2015, Stevedoring Operations at
Paradip Port had come to a halt following a strike called by 10 organizations
including Paradip Port Stevedores’ Association, Dumper Owners’ Association and
Drivers and Helpers Association.

The week-long shutdown of the Port was reportedly
engineered by forces, whose control over the Stevedoring business was being
challenged by a consortium of three companies including Seaways Shipping and
Logistic Ltd of Andhra Pradesh.

The forces, through Paradip Port Stevedoring
Association, had a near-total monopoly on the stevedoring business at the port
so much so that major Corporates like Tata and Jindal were arm -twisted into
paying much more than prevailing rates.